Report names Henderson No. 7 in top 10 U.S. growth cities

Henderson was named No. 7 in the U-Haul Top 10 U.S. Growth Cities for 2015.

Mayor Andy Hafen said the city is the second-largest city in Nevada and second to none when it comes to quality of life.

"We are a community that draws families, retirees, busy professionals and entrepreneurs interested in living, learning, working and playing in a forward-thinking, inclusive and vibrant community," he said.

According to the city of Henderson historical population estimates, in July 2010, Henderson's population was 276,428, and by July 2015, that number had increased to 291,432.

"We are consistently ranked among the top safest cities in the country, our award-winning parks and recreation opportunities are nationally recognized, and we have a pro-business philosophy that draws new businesses, expansions and relocations," Hafen said. "Along with this proactive economic development comes job creation and job growth, which helps to drive our local economy."

The city, Hafen said, is unique in that it is near three of the most popular man-made attractions in the world: Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Strip.

"We have the amenities you'd expect to find in Nevada's second-largest city, including five-star resorts, seven championship golf courses and outstanding dining and shopping experiences," he said. "We're also one of the safest cities in the nation, and we're proud that we are able to offer our residents outstanding master-planned communities, diverse educational opportunities and an array of family-friendly cultural and recreational experiences. I'm proud to live in America's premier community."

U-Haul determined its top growth cities by the net gain of incoming one-way U-Haul truck rentals versus outgoing rentals for the past calendar year.

According to U-Haul, its locations in Henderson saw 52.1 percent of truck rental customers coming into the city as opposed to leaving.

The city also had 6 percent more U-Haul arrivals year-over-year, while its departures were down 2 percent over the same span.

Henderson-based real estate agent, Steve Hawks of Platinum Real Estate on Horizon Ridge Parkway, said Henderson attracts a lot of people from California.

"The middle class can't survive in California, so they're coming to Henderson because we're middle-class friendly and we're a lot like California except without the high taxes," he said. "The only thing we're missing is the beach."

Hawks said Henderson is expanding at a rapid pace.

"There are commercial shops being built, multifamily housing going up and the premier master-planned community —Cadence — going up," he said. "Everywhere you go they're building."

Contact Ann Friedman at afriedman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Find her on Twitter: @AnnFriedmanRJ.